Author: Shari Cooper

As we all know, family comes in all forms – traditional and untraditional. At the end of the day, I believe a family filled with love and support is all that truly matters. I’m often asked if people with disabilities are capable of parenting. I’m always baffled by this question. In my opinion, people with... Read more »

When I’m ready to take off for the day, my scooter needs to be fully charged to keep up with me! I rely on my scooter for mobility, and if the battery goes dead, I’m stuck. It’s supposed to last up to eight hours a day, but when you’re on a roll as much as... Read more »

I love my local independent living center. Centers for Independent Living is a non-residential, community-based organization governed and staffed by people with disabilities. When I need help in my life, I always turn to my local center in Dayton called Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL). ACIL always has something cooking – literally. ACIL has... Read more »

As we start a new school year, crayons are one of the most popular items on supply lists. Crayons are fun to draw with and bring back lots of childhood memories, but they also create a palette of colors that represent an array of causes. Often, these colors are presented in a heart or ribbon... Read more »

My good people, it’s National Sandwich Month! Can we agree there’s nothing better than a big ole double-decker sandwich piled up with your favorite, meat, cheese, veggies, and condiments? When I learned there was a month celebrating sandwiches, I had to investigate the origin. According to my research, one of the first accounts of the... Read more »

How hard would you fight to finish something you started? I can pose this question to myself because I’m always fighting hard to complete something I’ve started. From getting dressed, to picking my phone up off the floor, it’s a challenge. During these challenges, interruptions like fatigue and anger stop by to frustrate me, but... Read more »

I’ve always wondered why essential items cost so much for people with disabilities. Have you ever priced a scooter? A scooter is my primary source of mobility. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to move around independently. A basic model without the bells and whistles can start around $1200. If you want one with Shari-level... Read more »

The 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is on the horizon. Thanks to this act, I have the freedom to live the happy and independent life I’m living as a person with a disability. For people who may not be aware of the act’s importance, I’d like to welcome today’s guest blogger,... Read more »

If I had to pick one thing to eat for the rest of my life (besides pizza), it would be ice cream! Ice cream is one of life’s guilty pleasures. It’s so good it has its own section in the grocery store. When shopping, I watch people picking different items to put in their cart... Read more »

I love giving things away. I’m talking about everything from clothing to shoes to pots and pans. After I no longer need or want things, I joyfully give them away. There’s something about the action of giving things away that makes my heart happy. Another good thing about giving something away is there’s always someone... Read more »